Which I guess the upvote button covers so I probably didn’t need to make this comment. But I’m thrilled to be commenting somewhere that isn’t Reddit. 😅
I like Culver’s, Taco John’s, and Kwik Trip, all mentioned before here.
My addition will be B-Bops. Last I checked, they are only in the Des Moines metro. Also, Tasty Tacos, but they are more fast casual rather than fast food.
Taco John's is a good one. I loved their chicken avacado bacon taco. $2 and half a dozen later never had a regret. Until it went away.
A&W is hit or miss as long as they still have their root beer tapped in store.
Kwik Trip is popular too because it's literally grab and go or call ahead and it's made for you. You can customize it without extra cost is a big win. Burgers. Pizza. Grab some donuts and breakfast sausage and the ultimate diabtus sandwhich is made for breakfast.
Quik Trip is pretty great. I think I actually like their pizza more than Casey's; their crust is a little more crisp on the outside with just the right amount of chew on the inside.
Kwik Shop kinda sucks. Though, at least in my area, they've started integrating Sbarro's into their locations, so at least the pizza is getting better.
Freddy's is pretty great. I'm originally from California, so In-N-Out is my first love, but Freddy's is my home away from home. And In-N-Out doesn't have that great custard.
I guess it doesn't matter anymore since nothing is open overnight these days, but back in the day I have been served some truly foul Steak 'n' Shake in the drive thru after midnight, bad enough to make you never wanna go back.
steak n shake's gone downhill. they were my favorite like 10+ years back, but the last few times ive gone, even at different locations, it's been low quality meat even by fast food standards and nothing is assembled right. i swear even the fries are less salty. it's so bad there used to be one over by a nearby highschool that managed to go out of business somehow
Midwest here, had a number of Steak n Shakes go downhill then close around me. Turns out if you lower the quality of your overpriced extremely slow 'fast' food people stop coming. Weird.
Central IL, I don't know if it would count but there are several in a close area: Krekel's Custard. Known for smashburgers and homemade ice cream. Similar to Culver's but older I think, and better.
I can eat a Portillo's beef in a pinch, but if I have my choice and I'm in Chicago, I'm going to Al's.
What’s the criteria? Simply originating in the Midwest? Or not available in all contiguous 48 states? Or ones that embrace their Midwest roots? Do gas stations count?